-Expresses satisfaction over the progress on Dam work
-Says securing water resources top priority of government
-Emphasizes on initiating Sindh Barrage project
-Receives briefings on economy, COVID-19 and Corona Tiger Relief Force
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed to immediately start the construction work of Diamer Bhasha Dam which would generate 1,6500 employment. PM Imran Khan Khan was briefed over the progress of the construction work of Diamer Bhasha Dam which was pending for decades due to different reasons.
He was apprised that the construction of the dam will generate 16,500 employment while the local industry will be promoted following the usage of cement and steel.
The country could generate 4,500 megawatts electricity from the dam and overcome the shortage of water. After the construction of the dam, 1.23 million acres of land could be used for agriculture purpose. The government will spend Rs78.5 billion for the social development of the areas situated around the Diamer Bhasha Dam.
Moreover, the dam will also reduce the government’s spendings worth billions to counter the disasters of floods every year. The premier expressed satisfaction over the progress of dam construction so far and ordered to immediately resume the construction activities.
He said that the federal government has prioritised to secure water resources and the construction of dams in Pakistan would also assist the government to overcome the power crisis. He also ordered to prioritise utilising local material and expertise in its construction in order to promote Pakistan’s construction sector and its related industries.
Moreover, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)the chairman also briefed the progress of construction of Mohmand Dam. The premier expressed over the pace of construction work of Mohmand Dam.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Imran Khan was informed on Monday that as per his directions all issues related to the critically important Diamer Bhasha Dam, including settlement, detailed roadmap for mobilization of financial resources etc. had been resolved and the project was ready for commencement of physical work. Chairing a meeting here on national water security strategy and construction of dams to meet agricultural as well as energy requirements of the country, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far and directed to immediately start construction activities of the dam.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Water Resources Mohammad Faisal Vawda, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur, Special Assistant to the PM on Information Lt. Gen. (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt. Gen. (R) Muzammil Hussain and other senior officers.
The prime minister was briefed in detail about the progress of resolution of all pending issues related to the construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam. The meeting was informed that the Diamer Bhasha project had remained stuck for decades due to various reasons. It was told that the dam’s construction would create 16,500 jobs and utilize huge quantity of cement and steel, which would give boost to the industry, besides its main purposes of water storage and producing 4500 MW of cheap and affordable electricity for meeting energy requirements of the country.
The 6.4 MAF (Million Acre Feet) water storage capacity of the dam would reduce the current water shortage in the country of 12 MAF to 6.1 MAF. It would add 35 years to the life of Tarbela Dam by reducing sedimentation. An area of 1.23 million acres of land would be brought under agriculture due to the dam.
It was informed that an amount of Rs. 78.5 billion would be spent for social development of the area around Diamer Bhasha Dam as part of the project. It would also be a major source of flood mitigation and save billions worth of damages caused by flood each year. The prime minister said ensuring water security was the foremost priority of the present government. Besides optimum utilization of the available water resources for agricultural needs, construction of the dams in the country would help meet energy requirements at affordable rate, he added.
The prime minister directed that use of local material and expertise be accorded priority during the construction work, which would provide huge job opportunities to the people. It would also boost the construction and related industries, and provide a huge stimulus to the economy, he added. The WAPDA chairman briefed the meeting about the progress of ongoing construction of Mohmand Dam that started recently.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the speed of work. He was also apprised of the progress on resolution of pending issues related to the Dasu Dam project. He expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far and directed to ensure expeditious commencement of the critical Dasu project.
The prime minister was briefed that funds had been arranged for Noulong Dam, Jhal Magsi district Balochistan and that the work would commence next year.
Imran Khan emphasized on starting Sindh Barrage as a priority project as it had huge benefits of addressing agriculture needs of the province. It would stop erosion of soil from sea water and also improve drinking water situation for urban centers of Sindh. The prime minister appreciated the efforts of Ministry of Water Resources and WAPDA for pursuing projects passionately to realize the dream of self-reliance in food security, industry and exports. He also reiterated his emphasis on keeping a close watch on quality of work and meeting the timelines.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting with his economic team and discussed matters pertaining to current financial situation in the country.
Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umer, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar, Adviser to PM on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, PM’s Special Assistant on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and senior officials attended the meeting. The economic impact in the wake of lockdown due to coronavirus also came under discussion.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting on COVID-19 here on Monday that discussed matters relating to the current situation of pandemic in the country. Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umer, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar, Federal Minister for Industries Production Hammad Azhar and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz attended the meeting.
Adviser to PM on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, PM’s Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, PM’s Special Assistant on Information Asim Saleem Bajwa, PM’s Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza and senior officials were present.
